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| Week ending Saturday, September 10, 2005 |
6 Elul, 5765 |
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Israel to Expand Ariel:
The Israeli government announced Tuesday that it intends to build 117 new homes in the Jewish community of Ariel (in Samaria). It is defined as a portion of a master plan that envisions the construction of 3,000 apartments in Ariel. The plan reinforces Prime Minister Sharon's stated strategy, which is to abandon the highly volatile, overpopulated region of Gaza, while strengthening Israel's grip on the Biblical heartland of Judea and Samaria. "All the prime ministers have built the settlement blocs, but I built more than all of them," Sharon stated. "Settlement continues there and will continue." Sharon is obviously trying to strengthen his position with his (Likud) party. He currently faces a serious challenge for party leadership from former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"Palestinian" Makes Alyah:
On Wednesday Tuvia Grossman made aliya (moved permanently to Israel). Everyday many people make alyah, but in 2000, at the start of the intifada, Grossman was dragged out of a taxi in east Jerusalem and nearly beaten to death by a crowd of Palestinians. At that time, his story received international media attention because of a photo of a bloody Grossman, mislabeled by the Associated Press, and identifing Grossman as a " 'Palestinian' beaten by an Israeli soldier." The article also mistakenly placed the incident on the Temple Mount, when it was actually at a gas station outside the Old City. Grossman, who is now twenty-five years old, recently completed a law degree in Chicago. Grossman, along with 200 others, arrived at Ben-Gurion Airport on the North American aliya assistance group Nefesh B'Nefesh's final summer flight. "I knew that I wanted to be here, in Israel," Grossman said. "Nothing was going to stop me."
Jewish Israelis Reject Unilateral Pullout from Judea and Samaria:
In a recent survey conducted by the Tami Steinmetz Center for Peace Research at Tel Aviv University (August 30-September 1), forty-two percent of the Jewish public would not support a far-reaching evacuation in Judea and Samaria under any conditions. These numbers are up from thirty-seven percent in April. Thirty-four percent would support such a move only in the framework of a peace agreement with the "Palestinians" (also up from twenty-eight percent), and fourteen percent would favor it even on a unilateral basis, which is down from twenty-six percent. Sixty-seven percent believe chaos will prevail after the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) leaves the Gaza Strip, whereas only sixteen percent think the "Palestinian" Authority will succeed in maintaining law and order. Sixty-eight percent believe the chances are high or very high that after an IDF withdrawal, attacks on Israel from this area will intensify, including the firing of Kassam rockets.
Bnai Anousim Visit Israel:
As a statement of solidarity with Israel, twenty 'Bnai Anousim' (the Hebrew term for people whose ancestors were forcibly converted to Catholicism during the time of the Spanish Inquisition more than five centuries ago) hailing from Brazil, Portugal, and Spain have been touring Israel this week. The tour was arranged by the Jerusalem-based Shavei Israel organization, which assists "lost Jews" seeking to return to the Jewish people. This group of 'Bnai Anousim' (historically often referred to derogatorily as "Marranos"), includes a college professor, three doctors, a psychiatrist, and two psychologists. They have toured the sights in Tiberias, Haifa, the Golan Heights, and Tel Aviv, spending the Sabbath in Jerusalem, where they paid an emotional visit to the Western Wall. "There is a real awakening taking place among the Bnai Anousim, many of whom feel a strong and enduring connection to their Jewish heritage," said the Shavei Israel Organization founder and Chairman Michael Freund. "I believe it is our responsibility to reach out to them, embrace them, and welcome them back home."
Sukkot Tour to Israel:
Join us as we explore Israel from a genuine Biblical Zionists perspective. Meet the people who are continuing the Biblical narrative in the Land today. See for yourself how ancient prophesies are being fulfilled. Discover how you too can participate in the ongoing process of Biblical Redemption. Join us for an opportunity of a lifetime, to see the real Israel from the viewpoint of those who are living the Bible today. The experience will change your life.
The tour has been coordinated and will be guided by Associate Pastor Jon Klein (pictured left [a more recent photo]).
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